How is 8000rpm sacrificing revs?
I just remembered that the 370Z Nismo or something has its redline unchanged but torque moved a little higher for more power. Perhaps it would be easier for Subaru to increase the rev limit to a more modest 8000 rather than 8500, and then move the power peak to 7600 or so, which would get us something like 220hp peak if the torque stays the same. If they do some intake tuning or whatever to get the peak torque a little higher, 230-240 would not be too hard. The downside to peak power being close to the limiter would be a slightly narrower "powerband".
But damn, 8500 rpm just sounds so good T_T